Irish Setter vs English Setter

The Irish Setter breed is known for being energetic and friendly. You’d be hard-pressed to find an Irish Setter who’s shy and withdrawn or one who’s aggressive and hostile. This breed is happy-go-lucky, ready to romp with your kids in the backyard or keep you company in the house. The Irish Setter wants to be by your side at all times. Their gentle, loving and playful personality makes them a great fit for families. Because of these traits, they’re also wonderful therapy dogs who can brighten up a hospital room or nursing home.

Irish Setters love children, and their goofy nature will keep your kids entertained. These fiery redheads are also very comfortable with strangers (hello, life of the party!) and good with other pets, especially other dogs or cats. Just be careful with pet birds—since Irish Setters were bred to hunt birds, their prey drive might get them in trouble.

Affectionate, playful and devoted are some of their main characteristics. But Irish Setter dogs also have a mischievous streak: they’re fun-loving and curious, and definitely not above getting into a little trouble. The breed is slow to mature, meaning their playful puppy personality stays around a little longer than most dogs. At the end of the day, though, an Irish Setter’s temperament is sweet and loving—and their desire to please their pup parent is one of the best qualities Irish Setters possess.

English Setters are happy-go-lucky pups who are gentle and affectionate and great with kids; they think everyone they meet is their best friend. These guys will be your biggest fan, so make sure to invest in a comfy dog bed and put it in the center of the action as they’re happiest when surrounded by the love and laughter of their people, both day and night.

These pups are great playmates for kids, and they’re more than happy to join other dogs in the home. While they’re born hunters, they can get along with cats as long as they’re raised with them from puppyhood. But expect these dogs to chase smaller pets, like rabbits and hamsters; they may be a challenging addition if you keep critters at home.

English Setters are alert and protective and make great watchdogs. They won’t hesitate to sound the alarm when someone unfamiliar approaches, but once settled, they’re just fine—they tend to return to a state of calm pretty quickly too.